LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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66 



THeTsMPesT" 



A r* _ T=> 

As Given By 



Mr. HannibalA Williams 

oF eNew <M>rk. 



For this one night ; which, part of it, I'll waste W fa, ' 

With such discourses as, I not doubt, shall make it 

Go quick away." — The Tempest — Act V, Scene I. 



f\^. e Hfl^^iiBflb CI. WmwAMs, 

OF NEW YORK. 

" Welcome my friends, all!" — The Tempest — Act V, Scene I. 

IN A RECITAL OF 

SHAKESPEARE'S ROMANTIC COMEDY, 

"THE TEMPEST." 



" This must crave, 
An if this be at all, a most strange story." — The Tempest — Act V, Scene I. 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



Prospero, 
Antonio, 
Alonso, . 
Sebastian, 
Ferdinand, 

GONZALO, 

Trinculo, 

Stephano, 

Caliban, 

Ariel, 

Miranda, 

Iris, "] 

Ceres. 

Juno, 

Nymphs, 

Reapers, 



The right Duke of Milan. 

His Brother, the usurping Duke of Milan. 

King of Naples. 

. . . . . . . His Brother. 

Son to the King of Naples. 

An honest old counsellor to the King. 

. Jester to the King. 

. A drunken butler, servant to the King. 

A deformed savage, afterwards servant to Prospero. 

. An airy spirit. 
Daughter to Prospero. 



Scene — A Ship at Sea; A Desert Island. 
TIME OF ACTION, FOUR HOURS. 



Presented by Spirits. 




Reproduced from engravings THE TEMPEST. 

on steel, after the Boydell Illus- Prospero, Caliban, Miranda and Ariel. 

trations. Act I, Scene II. 

— 4 — 



"The hour's now come; 
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear." — The Tempest — Act I, Scene II. 

Synopsis — Act I. — The Dawn of Love. 

Miranda entreats her father to abate the s^a-storm. Prospero relates the 
history of the usurpation of his dukedom by his unnatural brother Antonio. 
Miranda learns the story of her life and of her almost miraculous escape and pre. 
servation when cruelly abandoned on the sea and left to drift and die. Ariel 
describes the raising of the tempest; the shipwreck of the Neapolitan fleet; the 
rescuing of the King of Naples and his suite, and their distribution in various 
groups about the island. Ariel complains of his condition of servitude, and 
receives promise of his freedom. Reappearance of Ariel in the form of a water- 
nymph. Caliban curses his master, Prospero, and is threatened with punishment. 
Ferdinand is attracted by music from Ariel's unseen hand. He follows it, and 
is led from a remote part of the island to Prospero's cave. He meets Pros- 
pero and Miranda. She marvels at him, and he is instantly made captive by 
her charms. Prospero observes their magnetic attachment and fearing that 
Miranda may be quickly forgotten if she is too easily won, at once places obsta- 
cles between them by accusing Ferdinand of being a spy and promising him 
severe punishment. Both Ferdinand's remonstrances and Miranda's pleading 
are in vain. 

— 5 — 



" What, all so-soon asleep ! " — The Tempest — Act II, Scene I. 

Synopsis — Act II. — The Conspiracy. 

Alonso, the tired monarch, enters with several of his suite. He refuses to be 
comforted or entertained by the faithful Gonzalo. The invisible Ariel charms 
them to sleep. Antonio, not satisfied with having displaced his worthy brother, 
Prospero, as Duke of Milan, now proposes, in order to be relieved of paying 
tribute, the killing of Alonso and Gonzalo. Their plans thwarted by Ariel who 
apprises Gonzalo and the King of their imminent danger, and they continue 
their search for Ferdinand. Caliban enters recounting his woes and cursing his 
master. He is followed shortly after by Trinculo, and still later by Stephano, 
both of whom Caliban believes to be evil creations of Prospero's, sent to 
plague and torture him. A chapter of surprises and revelations. Caliban 
promises to forsake Prospero, and serve his newly found master, Stephano. 



— 6 — 




— 7 



* * " By your pitience, 
I needs must rest me." — T/ie Tempest — Act III, Scene III. 

Synopsis — Act III. — The Courtship. 

Ferdinand complains of the task assigned him and receives Miranda's sym- 
pathy. The confession and exchange of true love. Prospero rejoiced. Reap- 
pearance of the vulgar trio, Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo. Caliban suggests 
the killing of Prospero while sleeping. The proposition quickly seconded by the 
others. Stephano proposes to marry the daughter and become king of the island 
himself; in anticipation of which event they join in a song and a dance. The 
would be usurpers are frenzied with fear on hearing the tune of their song played 
by invisible hands. Caliban reassures them, and they follow the capricious Ariel 
away to the sound of music. The king and his suite, weary in their search for 
Ferdinand, give him up as lost and lie down to rest. Ariel's invisible chorus 
is heard, and fantastic shapes appear bearing in a banquet-table. As the com- 
pany is about to taste the tempting viands, Ariel appears as a harpy, and 
relates the story of Antonio's usurpation and assures him that this haunting ap- 
parition is the beginning of a series of maledictions about to fall on him. 




Reproduced from engravings 
on steel, after the Bcydell Ilhcs- 
trations. 



THE TEMPEST. 

Prospero, Ferdinand, Miranda, Etc. 

Act IV, Scene [. 
- 9 - 



" I cannot too much muse 
Such * * gesture and such sound." * * — The Tempest — Act III , Scene III. 

Synopsis — Act IV. — The Betrothal. 

Prospero promises his daughter in marriage to Ferdinand, and gives evidence 
of his great power of enchantment. He orders Ariel to prepare a masque for the 
entertainment of Ferdinand and Miranda. Music is heard. Enter Iris, the 
rainbow (one of the Oceanides, and messenger of the gods, and more particularly of 
Juno). She commands Ceres, the goddess of harvests, to appear and pour her 
blessings on the plighted lovers. Enter Juno, queen of all the gods (Juno was 
supposed to preside over marriages, and patronize those of her sex who were 
distinguished for their virtuous conduct). She salutes her sister, Ceres, and 
asks her to accompany her on her mission. The inferior d2ities, the naiades and 
dryades, nymphs of the sea and land, are commanded to join in the merry- 
making. The astonished lovers receive the benediction of the gods. Prospero dis- 
misses the company of spirits. Ariel recounts his exploits with Stephano and 
Trinculo. Prospero's power shown to be the terror of evil-doers. Their 
wicked designs upon Prospero frustrated. 



My good friends, hark !" — The Tempest — Act III, Scene III. 

"There's something else to do : hush and be mute, 
Or else " * * * * — The Tempest — Act IV, Scene I. 

Synopsis — Act V. — The Triumph of Right and Reconciliation. 

Prospero gives direction for the release of the royal company, and summons 
several before him. Prospero reveals himself, and demands the restoration of his 
dukedom. Antonio humiliated and disgraced. Prospero forgives his enemies, 
and welcomes them to his cave. Re-union of father and son. Miranda amazed 
at seeing the king and his suite, and Stephano and Trinculo dumfounded. 
Ariel receives his liberty. Prospero promises the members of the royal com- 
pany safe return to Naples, and happy deliverance out of all their trouble. 
The speedy marriage of his dear beloved to be solemnized. Prospero renounces 
all his magic arts. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Mr. Hannibal A. Williams was. born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1854, and is a 
descendant of French and English parentage. He was educated in the common 
schools of his native state, and at Troy conference Academy, Poultney, Vermont. 
After teaching several years in the graded schools of Fair Haven and West Rutland, 
Vermont, and making a professional tour through New England, he was appointed 
Instructor of Elocution in the Albany (New York) Academy, which position he re- 
signed in 1882, to devote himself entirely to public reading. During the first three 
years of Mr. Williams's professional career, his work consisted of the preparation 
of miscellaneous selections and the giving of over three hundred entertainments in 
towns near Albany. Since 1885 he has resided in New York, 98 Lexington Avenue, 
and each year he has added one of Shakespeare's plays to his repertory. He has 
read over one thousand nights, chiefly in the New England and Middle States. For 
the past two seasons his recitals have been limited, strictly, to the Shakespearian 
plays, in which field probably no other American reader has achieved so large a 
measure of success in so short a period. 

EXTRACTS FROM AUTOGRAPH LETTERS FROM DISTINGUISHED LITERARY 
GENTLEMEN COMMENDING MR. WILLIAMS'S WORK. 

Curtis Guild, Esq., Editor " Commercial Bulletin," Boston, Mass. 

I congratulate you on the success of your reading given before the select company at Governor Claflin's 
house Saturday evening. The scenes from "Othello" were given with marked skill and ability, and 
evinced a careful study of the play and its characters. 

— 13 — 



Rev. Phillips Brooks, D. D., (Harvard), Rector Trinity Church, Boston, Mass. 

I listened with great pleasure to your reading on last Monday evening, at the reception given by Governor 
and Mrs. Claflin, at the Boston University. 

Pres. Merrill E. Gates, Ph. D., L. H. D., President Amherst College. 

Having repeatedly heard Mr. Williams read, I have pleasure in saying that I think h'm one of the most 
entertaining and one of the most deservedly successfnl readers and impersonators now before the public. 

Rev. Charles H. Eaton, D.D., Universalist Church, New York City. 

Self-possession, imagination and emotion, aided by a remarkable memory and graceful manner, created a 
real dramatic success. 

Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D. D. , Formerly Pastor Central Congregational Church, 
Boston, Mass. 

The members of our classes in English literature, who have given special attention to the study of Shake- 
speare, are under obligations to you for a more thorough understanding of those portions of his works which 
you interpreted with such clear insight, broad comprehension, and profound sympathy- As the leader of a 
society for literary work, I am especially indebted to you for a service rendered to our members. 

Frank R. Stockton, Author of " The Lady or the Tiger," " Rudder Grange," etc. 

You gave the different characters as much individual expression as if the play had been recited by several 
persons. 

To me your power of memorizing is wonderful. 

Hon. Alden Speare, President Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston, Mass. 

I listened with great pleasure to your recital. I have attended readings by Professor Churchill and others, 
but I can truly say that yours was the best I have ever listened to, anl I hope at some time in the future to hear 
you again. 

— 14 — 



Dr. William J. Rolfe, A. M., Litt. D., (Amherst), Author of the Rolfe Edition 
of Shakespeare's Plays. 

* * Your " Othello " was to me more satisfactory than any theatrical performance of the tragedy I have ever 
listened to. It was free from all rant and exaggeration while it gave full expression to the passion and 
pathos of the play. 

Rev. Washington Gladden, D.D., Author of " Moral Aspects of Social 
Questions," " Applied Christianity," etc., Pastor First Congregational Church, 
Columbus, Ohio. 

His rendering was marked by great intelligence and propriety, the meaning of the lines was clearly given, 
and the spirit of the great drama fairly presented. 

Mr. Williams is a reader of cultivated taste, he does not tear his passions to tatters, but he enables his 
hearers to understand and enjoy the author. 

Rev. T. T. Munger, D. D., (Yale), Author of " On the Threshold," " Freedom of 
Faith," etc., Pastor Congregational Church, New Haven, Conn. 

I listened to a reading of " Othello," by Mr. Williams with a satisfaction that was shared by a large and 
cultivated audience. 

His rendering of this most difficult drama was characterized by keen intelligence and by an elocution 
highly agreeable and effective. 

Hon. William Claflin, LL. D. , Ex-Governor of Massachusetts. 

Mr. Hannibal A. Williams recited in my parlors, to a large number of literary friends, to the great 
satisfaction of all who heard him. 

Among those present were Professor Palmer of Harvard University, Professors Buel and Mitchell of Boston 
University, Miss Freeman, President and professors Currier, Denio and See of Wellesley College, Mr 
Dewey, Librarian of Columbia College, Curtis Guild, Esq., Editor of the " Commercial Bulletin," Henry 
Woods, Esq., Gen. A. B. Underwood and H. W. Claflin. 

— »5 — 



Our revels now are ended." - The T^est - A ct 1 1 '. - Scene I. 



Copyrighted, 1890, by 

Hannibal A. Williams, 

98 Lexington Avenue, 

New York. 



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